Today, from 5:30 – 6:10 a.m. I had time to think. I think throughout the day, but usually I’m thinking about things like what to make for dinner, if I should fold the laundry or load the dishwasher first, and what I could possibility do to entertain three very active kids—all under the age of six. But while their soft breaths still punctuated the warm air of their pre-dawn room I sat in my thinking chair and pulled out my Bible. I need that time, I’ve realized, to think about extraordinary things.
This morning I read about Jesus being from Nazareth. As one commentary said, “Nazareth was they type of place no one wanted to admit was their hometown.” I understand that now as I’ve been working with Teen Moms in inner-city Little Rock.
When I tell others about our group they get excited, “Oh, that’s so cool, It’d love to help. Where do you meet?”
“Our church is one corner of an old Walmart building on the corner of Colonel Glen and University,” I reply.
After that, the look on their face changes. “Oh, that’s nice. Well, I’m not sure if my husband will let me go down there.”
Very few volunteer want to come help in “that” part of town. Of course, that’s where the teen moms are. That’s where many needy people are.
So, when I was thinking of this, I thought of story after story in the Bible where God used the lowly and despised to do amazing things. David was a stinky shepherd, Rahab a prostitute, the disciples were fisherman, and the Samaritan woman—whose testimony impacted a whole town—had a bad reputation.
And as I thought about this, I thought about my own life. I was a teenage mom. I got the comments and the stares. I felt ashamed and abandoned, yet look what God did!
This morning, the more I sat and thought, the more I became thankful of what God has done in my life. The more I thought, the more I became excited about what God was going to do with the teen moms I mentor. I also got excited about what God was going to do with my kids, especially those adopted from the foster care system. I can’t wait to be a witness to God’s handiwork!
And by 6:11 when my kids woke up, I was a new kind of mom. Why? Because I was able to think of God’s amazingness.
I was full of love, joy, and thankfulness, and all because I took time to think—time to read God’s Word and ponder God’s work.
Mama, every mom needs a thinking chair, because the truth strengthens weary limbs as effectively as remembering the goodness of God. Nothing gives me eagerness for my day as I step out with expectation of what God can do. When I think on God early, I remember to watch for Him throughout the day.
I know it’s hard to take time to think, but it’s so important. I promise you it’s worth giving up even twenty minutes of sleep. Maybe it won’t be 5:30 – 6:10 a.m., but think of a time. And then find that chair and settle in. Your whole day will be different, guaranteed.
Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.
Awesome post! Love how God reaches out through our studies of Biblical times and shows how those lessons from years gone by are living, vital, and so very relevant to our lives today.
My thinking chair is mostly my chair here at the computer. Reading through the different devotional blogs I follow, hearing the writer’s stories and seeing God in action through them sometimes helps me see the way He moves in MY life that I might not have noticed before.
Other times, my thinking chair is the driver’s seat of my Explorer, as I wait in the afternoon pick-up line at the elementary school. This is a routine quiet time I’ve come to cherish and generally arrive 15 minutes earlier than needed just to have this extra time in thought and prayer before a very rambunctious 6 year old hops in to fill the car with laughter and tales that lasts the entire ride home.
For the last few days I’ve had a song I sang in high school choir in my head:
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
For I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls,
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
And yes, I know these words are straight out of the Bible, but having it in song form is really helpful to me. 🙂
Hi Tricia, this post reached out to me. How many times have I backed away from situations because they made me uncomfortable? I’m not sure. Too many, probably.
I tutor middle school students, which is a huge ministry for me to be involved in. It’s a blessing both ways (to the kids and to me). I’m especially blessed that the kids come to my house and I don’t have to go outside my physical comfy zone. Mentally, maybe. 🙂
You said you got the stares and looks when you were a teen mom. Well, even though I wasn’t a teen mom, I still got the stares and looks… when I babysat infants and toddlers and carried them around the store while I shopped. I just had to laugh every time because it totally wasn’t what those people thought it was. And it made me think about how often we, as a society, misjudge each other simply because we don’t take the time to get to know one another. That made me sad, but it also made me smile at people more and try to bring a bit of God’s light into the lives of those I passed by in the store and other places I’m at.
Thanks for ministering to the teen moms in their part of town. As you’ve said, not all would do the same. It’s a very noble mission, one I’m sure blesses you along with the teens and their tots. May y’all bring joy to each other’s lives, and may God shine through you to them.
Blessings,
Andrea
P.S. I’m not yet a mom, so if my name is drawn, please give my copy of the book to one of the teen moms that you minister to.
Blessings,
Andrea
P.S. I’m not yet a mom, so if my name is drawn, please give my copy of the book to one of the teen moms that you minister to.
How sweet Andrea
Tricia, thank you for your God-Given talent to share your heart and the gentleness in which you do!
Just knowing that I can talk to God 24/7 365 days a year no matter where I am or what I am doing. Susan
Matt 6:25-27 is how I’ve gotten through this tough week. I love your blog post today!
I would love to give a copy of this book to my 20-year-old daughter, who is back home with me with her one-year-old daughter. Her husband has decided that marriage is not worth the effort and refuses to work or take any responsibility. So, it looks like she is destined to be a single parent. He lives in his parent’s basement 3 hours away, and does not drive, so it is my daughter’s responsibility to drive there every week for visits with the grandparents and dad, and not having any help (other than me!) is taking a toll on her both physically and financially…and me, too, as I was old enough to be a grandmother when my daughter was born!
I have been struggling, with waiting. We recently moved to a smaller house out in the country so I can stay home with the kids. This is such a blessing! The only problem is we need to find a way to supplement some of my income. I have been looking online at internet research jobs, and wracking my brain, to come up with ideas for me to make some income.
I know this is where God wants me, and he will show me a way so that I can stay home, but it is so hard waiting. I want to stop my hour drive to and from work.
I am strengthened knowing that everything will work out in His sweet perfect timing.
I finally got myself one this summer! I’m in it now and I LOVE it. And I feel you on the teen mom thoughts, the stares. I was one too and God’s done amazing things in my life and my son’s. He can do amazing things!
This too will pass….
Your blog just warms my aching heart,and puts a smile on my longing face..Thank you Just one word– FAITH-1Peter 1:7 it gets me going and gets me by–thru my faith I know HE will take care of all this everyday things my kids do ,and somehow, I know we will get by and everything will be ok–dlmwdavis@hotmail.com
Tricia
Your book sounds so real,so right
God bless you and your ministry
Im the grandma but Im still the Mom The weariness of doing too much, and not getting enough done.
but Knowing our Lord is always there for me
Chris Granville
granvilleATfrontiernetDOTnet
I’m now the grandma but it breaks my heart to watch the struggles of my adult children as they raise their families, and see the struggles of other families . I learned along time ago that I needed that early morning prayer during those difficult years of childrearing but it doesn’t stop when they grow up. I wish your book would have been available back then but know it is a different generation with many different challenges.
The truths that I hang on to is Prov: 22.6 Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Blessings to you & your family & to work you do in inner city.
mcnuttj@rocketmail.com
You are so right in this about it breaking your heart to see your adult children struggling.
My oldest son is not spiritual, neither is his girlfriend, and while the kids are all involved in church and Christians. The parents struggle.
I just cry daily for them. I know with God, they may still have struggles, but they would be easier to handle and then tempers and reality of life wouldn’t be so “hard” and hard blessings.
I love my children so very much and it breaks my heart daily to know how much they struggle.
As well as the grandchildren, who are so eager to learn about God and then they don’t get their needs met at home.